Irrigation gate



Feb. 7, 1933. W R, SHERMAN 1,896,331

IRRIGATION GATE Filed April 22, 1952 v f l l /M mmxk f A- N ',/Qf//Q/ s `/M\//\// /f 2 7 INVENTOR Vl/R. SI1 @rn/lan Patented Feb. 7, 1933 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM: a. SHERMAN, or NEWMAN, CALIFORNIA IRRIGATIONy GATE- Application led April, 22,

This invention relates to gates for use across irrigation ditches, in ditch banks, or to be interposed in check levees to control the flow of water between adjacent areas, or "5 for other similar purposes to control a flow of water or other liquid.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a gate of this general character so constructed that it may be easily installed l in such a manner that it will be irmly maintained in place without Vpossibility of erosion of the dirt and consequent leakage of the liquid past the end of the gate or below the same; one so constructed that the current of the iow of liquid through the gate from a higher to a lower level will be checked and erosion of the dirt on the intake or discharge side of the gate will be revented; and one so shaped as to oder litt e interference with the passage of moving implements etc. or of animals over the gate; this being a feature of especial value when the gate is used in check or similar levees, in ditch banks etc.

A further object of the invention' is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawing similar characters of ref- 3? erence indicate corresponding parts in the` several views Fig. l is a perspective view of my improved gate detached.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the gate 4G asV mounted in place in a check levee.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the gate closed.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal elevation of the gate in place partly in section and looking at 5 the discharge side of the gate.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, the gate comprises a tubular member l rn'ade of concrete, cast iron or other suitable material 5, and of such dimensions as to enable stockv shapes and sizes to be made use of. Formed 1932. serial No. eos,'s2a,

Vor secured in the member l some distance below the level of the 'horizontal axis of the l member 1 while the top ofthe discharge opening is about the same distance above the said axis. The'gate may thus be set either side up while maintaining approximately the samerelative positioning of the gate openings, except thatthe intake opening in;one case will become the discharge opening in the other.` e When installing the gate in a'check levee 6' for instance the member l is depressed so that the bottom of the lintake. opening L is flush with the level 4of the vground of the relatively high area; the discharge opening 5v being. then substantially on 'a level with theV ground of the adjacent relativelylow area as shown in Fig. 2.' The possibility of water passing below the gate is therefore practically eliminated. The dirt' atthe ends of the flevee 4cut fills the pockets in the member l outwardly ofthe bulk heads thus forming a `continuous bond between the levee to points inwardly of the ends ofthe member l, as shown in Fig. il. In this manner erosion of dirt in the ends of the gate and leakage ofv water past the same islprevented. `f 1 Whenjthe gate is thus mounted, asump is formed insidel the same below the level of the intake into which the water flows before it passes through the outlet. A water cushion is thus provided breaking the direct flow from the higher to the lower level and preventingerosion of `the dirt adjacent thev gate and beyond the discharge-opening.

In Order toclose the gatewhen it is'dejsired vto prevent a passage 'of water there- `95 through I provide a shutter or closure mem-V ber either on the outside'of the intake opening or on the inside'of the discharge fopening. vThe closure shown in the'drawing H is of the' latter form and consists of a rectan-y gular sheet 7 substantially symmetrical to and of greater area than said opening. It is formed of resilient metal having a curvature approximately that of the interior of the member l. The shutter may thus be easily moved from an open position clear of the opening 5, as shown in Fig. 2, to one closing said opening, as shown in Fig. 3; the pressure of the water from the intake side of the gate holding the shutter in its closed position. f

When the gate is used across ditches, the openings would be approximately round instead of oblong. Also, in some instances, the gate would be used to prevent erosion or merely retard the flow of water. In such cases, the adjustable closure would be eliminated.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a devicev as substantially fulfills the objects of the .invention as set 4forth herein.k i

While this specification sets forth in detailjthe present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what Ivclaim as new and useful andwdesire to secure byLetters Patent is: f i i Y Al. A'liquid control gate comprising a tubular member adapted tobe mounted with its longitudinalaxis horizontal and transversely of the path of the flow of a liquid, said member having intake and discharge openings in its opposite sides above the bottom thereof, and an adjustable closure for one of said openings; said closure comprising a resilient curved plate inside the member adapted Yto be disposedoveror ,clear of the discharge opening on the inner side thereof and of greater area than said opening.

2. Aliquid control gate comprising a tubular member adapted to be mounted vwith its longitudinal axis horizontal and trans- `0f forthe reception of dirt to bind the gate to the levee or equivalent structure in which said gate is interposed. Y

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. A WILLIAM 1R.' SHERMAN.

verselyy of thepath of the flow of a liquid, l

said member having intake anddischarge openings in its opposite sides above the bottom thereof, andxon relatively high and ,low leyels respectively. p

Y3. A liquid control gate Vcomprising a member adapted to be mounted in position relative to a flow of liquid to form a bar to such flow, said member having kintake and discharge openings in its opposite sides, means formed with said member between the openings to provide a liquid cushion and break the direct flow fromthe intake to the discharge opening, and an adjustable closure for one of said openings.

4. A Vliquid control gate comprising an open-ended tubular member adapted to be mounted with its longitudinal axis horizon-y tal and transversely of the path of flow of a` 

